Detachable adjustable commode handle

ABSTRACT

A detachable adjustable commode handle for use with a commode having legs includes a hook, having a flat portion upon which the toilet paper roll rollably rests, a hooked end curving up from said flat portion which discourages the toilet paper from sliding off in use, and a support portion curving up from and extending generally perpendicularly from the flat portion, wherein said toilet paper roll resting flat portion is sized shorter in length than a toilet paper roll axial length such that resistance is provided to the toilet paper roll at either end by the incipient curves of the hooked end and the support portion, a snap fit bracket connected to the support portion which detachable and adjustably snap fits onto a commode leg, wherein said snap fit bracket is offset from and perpendicular to the toilet paper roll resting flat portion, and wherein when said detachable adjustable commode handle is attached to a commode, said toilet paper roll resting flat portion is perpendicular to leg of a commode to which it is attached.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to detachable adjustable commode toiletpaper handles.

BACKGROUND

Elderly and infirm people need assistance using a toilet. A portabletoilet, hereinafter referred to simply as a “commode” is used for thatpurpose. Commodes are often used when providing care and assistance toaged and disabled patients. Commodes are often used in hospitals,hospices, and are used in the homes by ill and elderly people becausethey provide support that is not available from a stationary toilet.Commodes generally comprise a frame structure and a seat supported onthe frame structure. In use the commode may be placed proximate a bed orsome other area where the person having need thereof is disposed.

One of the disadvantages of portable commodes is the location of toiletpaper. Some commodes have toilet paper bars which stick out at oddangles. Such bars can get in the way, are the object if injury andinterference. Such bars cannot be removed or moved out of the way. Othercommodes have no location for a toilet paper roll, and so the user orassistant has to hold the toilet paper roll. Still other commodes havetoilet paper roll holders which are in inconvenient locations and cannotbe moved to a more convention location for use.

A toilet paper roll handle is needed, therefore, which addresses theseproblems, which can be easily attached and detached from a commode,which can be easily moved on the commode, which can be easily pushedinto and out of position, and which when detached is easy and light tocarry and moved or store.

The following represents a list of known related art:

Date of Reference: Issued to: Issue/Publication: US Pat 7,306,185 MillerDec. 11, 2007 US Pat 6,575,316 Lin Jun. 10, 2003 US Pat 6,305,035 MorrisOct. 23, 2001 US Pat Des. 431,947 Kopcak et al. Oct. 17, 2000 US PatDes. 424,668 Dangervil May 9, 2000 US Pat Des. 414,638 Brightbill Oct.5, 1999 US Pat 5,529,260 Wirick Jun. 25, 1996 US Pat Des. 341,739 TeagueNov. 30, 1993 US Pat 2,673,693 Gray Mar. 30, 1954 US Pat 2,518,328Janonis Aug. 8, 1950

The teachings of each of the above-listed citations (which does notitself incorporate essential material by reference) are hereinincorporated by reference. None of the above inventions and patents,taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe theinstant invention as claimed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,185 to Miller issued Dec. 11, 2007 for a Universaltoilet paper dispenser system teaches an improved toilet paper dispensersystem that employs an elongated support arm having, as a component, aflexible arm segment which is bendable in three dimensions. The supportarm is secured at one end to a toilet tank or rigid structure using amounting attachment. The flexible segment is positioned on the supportarm sufficiently near to the mounting attachment so the support arm willnot constitute an elongated rigid obstruction in a bathroom. At theopposite end of the support arm is a toilet roll holder that can supporta toilet roll and dispense toilet paper in a wide variety oforientations. The toilet roll can be supported by the support arm in awide variety of positions in three dimensions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,316 to Lin issued Jun. 10, 2003 for a Bathroomcolumn hanging holder assembly teaches a bathroom column hanging holderassembly mainly has a plurality of sleeves sleeved on a column with abase seat; the side of the sleeve has a side tube to be fixedly insertedby a hanging holder; a plastic inner tube and an O-shaped ring areinstalled inside the said sleeve; the structure assembled accordingly iscapable of positioning a sleeve through the friction generated among theplastic inner tube, the O-shaped ring and the column by the weight ofthe hanging holder so as to eliminate the downward sliding of the sleeveand to adjust the height of the sleeve at will for convenientapplication

U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,035 to Morris issued Oct. 23, 2001 for a Toiletpaper holder for bedside commode a device for supporting a roll oftoilet paper on a bedside commode includes a dowel pin maintainedbetween opposite arm members. The dowel pin is specifically sized andconfigured for removable receipt through the hollow core tube of aconventional roll of toilet paper. The arm members extend from the dowelpin and removably attach to the frame structure of the bedside commodein a manner which supports the toilet paper roll in convenient reach ofa person seated on the commode, thereby permitting sheets of paper to bepulled and separated from the roll as the roll rotates about the dowelpin.

Design patents also have issued. U.S. Pat. Des. 431,947 to Kopcak et al.issued Oct. 17, 2000 for the ornamental design of a Bedside commodetoilet paper roll holder. U.S. Pat. Des. 424,668 to Dangervil issued May9, 2000 for the ornamental design of a paper support rack for portablecommode. U.S. Pat. Des. 414,638 to Brightbill issued Oct. 5, 1999 forthe ornamental design of a Toilet tissue holder. U.S. Pat. Des. 341,739to Teague issued Nov. 30, 1993 for the ornamental design of a Toiletpaper holder for attachment to a bedside commode

U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,260 to Wirick issued Jun. 25, 1996 for a Railengaging toilet paper holder teaches a holder for rotatably supporting aroll of toilet paper relative to a rail of a supporting structure. Theinventive device includes a mounting assembly which can be snapped overa cylindrical rail of a wheelchair or portable toilet structure. Asupporting assembly extends from the mounting assembly for engaging androtatably supporting a roll of toilet paper relative to the supportingstructure.

Thus, the art described above does not teach or suggest a detachabletoilet roll handle which has the following combination of desirablefeatures: (1) can be easily attached and detached from a commode; (2)can be easily moved on the commode; (3) can be easily pushed into andout of position when not in use; (4) requires no installation, justsnaps into place with no screws, bolts, or tools needed; (5) detachablepops off under stress instead of breaking; (6) holds the toilet paperroll into place without requiring fasteners, pressure, or loops; (7)provides, without any additional attachments, resistance to toilet paperroll so that it does not continue to unroll when not being used or whenfinished using; and (8) which when detached is portable, easy and lightto carry and moved or store. (1) can be easily attached and detachedfrom a commode; (2) can be easily moved on the commode; (3) can beeasily pushed into and out of position; and (4) which when detached isportable, easy and light to carry and moved or store.

SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES

A detachable adjustable commode handle, comprising a snap fit bracketattached to a toilet paper supporting hook. A detachable adjustablecommode handle for use with a commode having legs includes a hook,having a flat portion upon which the toilet paper roll rollably rests, ahooked end curving up from said flat portion which discourages thetoilet paper from sliding off in use, and a support portion curving upfrom and extending generally perpendicularly from the flat portion,wherein said toilet paper roll resting flat portion is sized shorter inlength than a toilet paper roll axis length such that resistance isprovided to the toilet paper roll at either end of the toilet paper rollby the incipient curves of the hooked end and the support portion, asnap fit bracket connected to the support portion which detachable andadjustably snap fits onto a commode leg, wherein said snap fit bracketis offset from and perpendicular to the toilet paper roll resting flatportion, and wherein when said detachable adjustable commode handle isattached to a commode, said toilet paper roll resting flat portion isperpendicular to leg of a commode to which it is attached.

The detachable adjustable commode handle of the present inventionpresents numerous advantages, including: (1) can be easily attached anddetached from a commode; (2) can be easily moved on the commode; (3) canbe easily pushed into and out of position when not in use; (4) requiresno installation, just snaps into place with no screws, bolts, or toolsneeded; (5) detachable pops off under stress instead of breaking; (6)holds the toilet paper roll into place without requiring fasteners,pressure, or loops; (7) provides, without any additional attachments,resistance to toilet paper roll so that it does not continue to unrollwhen not being used or when finished using; and (8) which when detachedis portable, easy and light to carry and moved or store.

Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theadvantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments ofthe invention will become apparent from consideration of the followingdetailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings,which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of thepresent invention and, together with the detailed description, serve toexplain the principles and implementations of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a detachableadjustable commode handle in use

FIG. 2 shows a detachable adjustable commode handle.

FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of an embodiment of a detachableadjustable commode handle in use

REFERENCE NUMBERS USED IN DRAWINGS

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, thefigures illustrate the detachable adjustable commode handle of thepresent invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, thefollowing numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures:

10 Detachable adjustable commode handle

12 Hook

14 Snap Fit Bracket

16 Flat portion

18 Hooked end

20 Support portion

C Commode

L Commode leg

TP Toilet paper roll

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention,mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like referencematerials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding,or similar components in differing figure drawings. The figure drawingsassociated with this disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensionalaccuracy to scale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus onclarity of viewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application- and business-related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

A detachable adjustable commode handle is provided for use with acommode having legs, and includes hook, having a flat portion upon whichthe toilet paper roll rollably rests, a hooked end curving up from saidflat portion which discourages the toilet paper from sliding off in use,and a support portion curving up from and extending generallyperpendicularly from the flat portion, wherein said toilet paper rollresting flat portion is sized shorter in length than a toilet paper rollaxial length such that resistance is provided to the toilet paper rollat either end of the toilet paper roll by the incipient curves of thehooked end and the support portion, a snap fit bracket connected to thesupport portion which detachable and adjustably snap fits onto a commodeleg, wherein said snap fit bracket is offset from and perpendicular tothe toilet paper roll resting flat portion, and wherein when saiddetachable adjustable commode handle is attached to a commode, saidtoilet paper roll resting flat portion is perpendicular to leg of acommode to which it is attached.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, detachable adjustable commode handle 10 includesa hook 12 and a snap fit bracket 14 which detachable and adjustably snapfits onto a commode C leg L. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, hook 12 has a flatportion 16 which the toilet paper roll TP rollably rests on, hooked end18 curving up from the flat portion which discourages the toilet paperfrom sliding off in use, and a support portion 20 curving up from andextending generally perpendicularly from the flat portion 16 which isconnected to the snap fit bracket 14. The toilet paper roll resting flatportion 16 is sized in length shorter than a standard toilet paper rollTP, which is 4.5″± 1/10″, such that the incipient curves of the supportportion 20 and the hooked end 18 resistively engage the toilet paperroll TP to provide slight resistance against freely unrolling when notin use. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, snap fit bracket 14 has two opposingindented walls which snap fit around a commode C leg L. Preferably,detachable adjustable commode handle 10 is made of steel with aprotective coating, such as rubber, powder coating, or plastic or othersuitable material known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In operation in one embodiment, detachable adjustable commode handle 10is attached to a commode C by snap fitting the snap fit bracket 14around a leg L of the commode C, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A toiletpaper roll TP is then slid over the hooked end 18 and onto the flatportion 16 where it can be used and unrolled as needed. The incipientcurves on the hooked end 18 and support portion 20 provide resistance tothe toilet paper roll TP from freely unrolling. The detachableadjustable commode handle 10 can be adjustably moved, as shown in FIGS.1 and 2, due the snap fit nature of the bracket 14 connection to thecommode C leg L. The detachable adjustable commode handle 10 can beeasily removed by unsnapping the bracket 14 from the commode C leg L.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications andchanges may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing fromthe scope of the claimed invention. It will, of course, be understoodthat modifications of the invention, in its various aspects, will beapparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only afterstudy, others being matters of routine mechanical, chemical andelectronic design. No single feature, function or property of thepreferred embodiment is essential. Other embodiments are possible, theirspecific designs depending upon the particular application. As such, thescope of the invention should not be limited by the particularembodiments herein described but should be defined only by the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

1. A detachable adjustable commode handle for use with a commode havinglegs, comprising: a hook, having a flat portion upon which the toiletpaper roll rollably rests, a hooked end curving up from said flatportion which discourages the toilet paper from sliding off in use, anda support portion curving up from and extending generallyperpendicularly from the flat portion, wherein said toilet paper rollresting flat portion is sized shorter in length than a toilet paper rollaxial length such that resistance is provided to the toilet paper rollat either end by the incipient curves of the hooked end and the supportportion; a snap fit bracket connected to the support portion whichdetachable and adjustably snap fits onto a commode leg, wherein saidsnap fit bracket is offset from and perpendicular to the toilet paperroll resting flat portion; and wherein when said detachable adjustablecommode handle is attached to a commode, said toilet paper roll restingflat portion is perpendicular to leg of a commode to which it isattached.
 2. A detachable adjustable commode handle for use with acommode having legs, comprising: detachable snap fit means for attachingan adjustable toilet paper resting flat portion to a commode leg, offsetfrom and perpendicular to the toilet paper roll resting flat portionsuch that said toilet paper roll resting flat portion is perpendicularto the leg of a commode to which the handle is attached; and resistancemeans at either end of a toilet paper roll slid onto the toilet paperroll resting flat portion providing resistance to the toilet paper rollto stop it from freely unrolling.
 3. The handle of claim 1, wherein thehandle is made of steel powder coated.
 4. The handle of claim 2 whereinthe handle is made of steel powder coated.